Adjustable sleeping system with force control

ABSTRACT

Adjustable sleeping system with force control. At least one example embodiment is a method of operating a sleeping system, the method including: sensing an area of a sleeping surface of the sleeping system, the area upon which a person resides, the sensing by a bed controller communicatively coupled to an array of adjustable spring assemblies arranged such that a top of each adjustable spring assembly defines an upper surface parallel to the sleeping surface; and driving a plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies being the adjustable spring assemblies beneath the area, the driving to control force distribution among the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No.62/779,629, filed Dec. 14, 2018, titled “Adjustable Sleeping System”,and the provisional application is incorporated by reference herein asif reproduced in full below.

BACKGROUND

Getting a good night's sleep is important. Some studies suggest thatlack of sleep, or lack of sufficiently restful sleep, has long termhealth consequences. The long term health consequences include increasedrisk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Some factors that adverselyaffect the ability to get a good night's sleep are physiological, suchas snoring, central apnea, obstructive apnea, and restless leg syndrome.However, other factors are environmental, such as the compliance of thesleep surface upon which sleep is attempted, and sleeping position(though some physiological factors are sleep position dependent).

Many mattresses and beds purport to increase the restfulness of sleep.For example, one attempt in recent years is based on mattresses made ofcombinations of closed- and open-cell foams that purport to reduce highforce areas regardless of sleep position, and to reduce communication ofmovement to sleeping partners. Other attempts in recent years use airbladders to create individual pockets of support, usually in horizontalrows across the width of a mattress. The air bladder mattresses enablechanging air pressure within the bladders, and thus changing the forcecarried by each bladder. Each system has its respective drawbacks.

Any system and/or method which increases user comfort and flexibility ofcontrol would provide a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of example embodiments, reference will now bemade to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable sleeping system inaccordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an adjustable sleeping system withthe overlay removed, and in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of row of adjustable springassemblies in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an adjustable spring assembly(without the main spring), and in accordance with at least someembodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the suspension member in accordance withat least some embodiments;

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation, partial cross-sectional view, of aportion of an adjustable spring assembly in accordance with at leastsome embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows an electrical block diagram of the adjustable sleepingsystem in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows an electrical block diagram of a bed controller inaccordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 9 shows an electrical block diagram of the control PCB inaccordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system, in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system, in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 12 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system with the user of FIG. 11 shown in shorthand notation,and in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system with the user of FIG. 11 shown in shorthand notation,and in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system with the user of FIG. 11 shown in shorthand notation,and in accordance with at least some embodiments;

FIG. 15 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system, in accordance with at least some embodiments; and

FIG. 16 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface of an adjustablesleeping system, in accordance with at least some embodiments.

DEFINITIONS

Various terms are used to refer to particular system components.Different companies may refer to a component by different names—thisdocument does not intend to distinguish between components that differin name but not function. In the following discussion and in the claims,the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-endedfashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but notlimited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended tomean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first devicecouples to a second device, that connection may be through a directconnection or through an indirect connection via other devices andconnections.

“About” in reference to a numerical value shall mean the numerical valueplus or minus 20 percent (+/−20%).

“Controller” shall mean, alone or in combination, individual circuitcomponents, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), amicrocontroller with controlling software, a digital signal processor(DSP), a processor with controlling software, or a field programmablegate array (FPGA), configured to read inputs and drive outputsresponsive to the inputs.

“Random” shall mean in pattern that appears random to an ordinaryobserver, and shall include pseudo-random sequences created byalgorithms.

“Un-laden compression” shall refer to an amount a spring is compressedin the absence of a person or other object residing on a sleepingsurface of the bed. Having an un-laden compression shall not obviate thefact that compression may be adjustable when the spring is carrying orsupporting an external weight or force.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is directed to various embodiments of theinvention. Although one or more of these embodiments may be preferred,the embodiments disclosed should not be interpreted, or otherwise used,as limiting the scope of the disclosure, including the claims. Inaddition, one skilled in the art will understand that the followingdescription has broad application, and the discussion of any embodimentis meant only to be exemplary of that embodiment, and not intended tointimate that the scope of the disclosure, including the claims, islimited to that embodiment.

Various embodiments are directed to an adjustable sleeping systemcomprising an array of adjustable spring assemblies. Each adjustablespring assembly is adjustable by a bed controller to implement controlof force distribution. Having individually adjustable spring assembliesenables a host of operational modes and methods. For example, thecontrol of force distribution may enable functions such as overallcontrol of firmness across the adjustable sleeping system and toarea-specific functions. Area-specific functions may include a massagefunction, force equalization within the area of the person's body toreduce pressure points, disembarkation assistance, and encouraging aroll to reduce sleep issues (e.g., snoring), to name a few. Thespecification first turns to a high level overview of the adjustablesleeping system in accordance with example embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjustable sleeping system 100 inaccordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, the exampleadjustable sleeping system 100 defines a length L, a width W, and asleeping surface 102. The length L and width W may be any suitable size,such as a cot size, a single size, a twin size, a twin XL size, a fullsize, a Queen size, a “California” King, King size, or specialty sizes(e.g., for boats, motor homes, travel trailers). In some cases, theoverall bed may comprise two adjustable sleeping systems 100 arrangedside-by-side (e.g., two twin XL size beds side-by-side to form a Kingsize). The adjustable sleeping system 100 further comprises a pluralityof adjustable spring assemblies 104. FIG. 1 labels only four of thevisible adjustable spring assemblies 104 (104A-104D) so as not to undulycomplicate the figure. The adjustable spring assemblies are modularcomponents that may be placed at any location, and thus a singleadjustable spring assembly will be referred to as an “adjustable springassembly 104” and groups of adjustable spring assemblies will bereferred to as “adjustable spring assemblies 104.” The adjustable springassemblies 104 are discussed in more detail below. In example systems,the adjustable spring assemblies 104 are mechanically coupled to a bedframe 106 comprising a first frame rail 108 and a second frame rail 110.

An upper surface of the adjustable spring assemblies 104 (the uppersurface not visible in FIG. 1) is covered with a topper or overlay 112,such as open-cell or closed-cell foam. In one example embodiment theoverlay 112 comprises a foam padding having a thickness of three inches(measured perpendicularly to the sleeping surface 102). Otherthicknesses, both greater and smaller, and other constituent materials,may be used. The example overlay 112 wraps around the head end 114 ofthe adjustable sleeping system 100, and also wraps around the foot end116 of the adjustable sleeping system 100. In other cases, the wrappingaspects of the overlay 112 may be omitted, and the adjustable springassemblies 104 on the head end 114 will be exposed on the head end 114,and the adjustable spring assemblies 104 on the foot end 116 will beexposed on the foot end 116. In yet still other cases, the overlay 112may be omitted entirely. In such situations, an upper surface defined byeach adjustable spring assembly 104 may define the sleeping surface 102.

The adjustable sleeping system 100 further comprises a bed controller118 communicatively and controllably coupled to each adjustable springassembly 104. The bed controller 118 is configured to selectivelycontrol a weight or force carried by each adjustable spring assembly 104to control force distribution among the adjustable spring assemblies104. The bed controller 118 may take any suitable form. An example bedcontroller 118 is discussed below in reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the adjustable sleeping system 100with the overlay 112 removed, and in accordance with at least someembodiments. In particular, the example adjustable sleeping system 100comprises a matrix or array of adjustable spring assemblies 104mechanically coupled to the bed frame 106. The array of adjustablespring assemblies 104 is arranged such that a top of each adjustablespring assembly 104 defines an upper surface parallel to the sleepingsurface 102 (FIG. 1). The example array is a grid pattern, where theadjustable spring assemblies 104 in a row (i.e., parallel to the widthW) are aligned, and the adjustable spring assemblies 104 in a column(i.e., parallel to the length L) are aligned. However, otherarrangements of the array are possible, such as a honeycomb pattern.

In the example case of a twin size bed, between 8 and 40 adjustablespring assemblies 104 reside in each row, in one example case between 10and 15 adjustable spring assemblies 104, and in a particular case 13adjustable spring assemblies 104 reside in each row. Moreover, in anexample twin sized bed, between 15 and 80 adjustable spring assemblies104 may reside in each column, in some cases between 20 and 30adjustable spring assemblies 104, and in some cases 25 adjustable springassemblies 104 reside in each column. Thus, for a twin size bed, 120 orgreater adjustable spring assemblies 104 may be used, in some cases 200or greater adjustable spring assemblies 104 may be used, and in somecases 250 or greater adjustable spring assemblies may be used. For aKing size bed (e.g., two twin XL size beds side-by-side) or a Queensized bed, 200 or greater adjustable spring assemblies 104 may be used,in some cases 400 or greater adjustable spring assemblies 104 may beused, and in a particular case 500 or greater adjustable springassemblies 104 may be used. For a cot size bed, 100 or greateradjustable spring assemblies 104 may be used, in some cases 300 orgreater adjustable spring assemblies 104 may be used. The size of theadjustable spring assemblies 104, and the spacing between the adjustablespring assemblies 104, affects the number of adjustable springassemblies 104. Each adjustable spring assembly 104 comprises a springand an actuator (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, a bellows, or a motor) suchthat the force carried by the spring can be adjusted. Example adjustablespring assemblies 104 are discussed next.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of row of adjustable springassemblies in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular,visible in FIG. 3 are a baffle box 300, a spring rail 302, as well as aplurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104. As noted above, between 8and 40 adjustable spring assemblies 104 may reside in a row, and in aparticular case 13 adjustable spring assemblies 104 reside in a row.FIG. 3 labels only four of the adjustable spring assemblies 104(104E-104H) so as not to unduly complicate the figure. Again, theadjustable spring assemblies 104 are modular components that may beplaced at any location within a row or column. The various examplecomponents will be addressed in turn, starting with the spring rail 302.

The example spring rail 302 defines a long dimension or length L_(SR).When assembled into an adjustable sleeping system 100 (FIG. 1), thelength L_(SR) is parallel to the width W (FIG. 1) and perpendicular tothe length L (FIG. 1) of the adjustable sleeping system 100. In caseswhere the adjustable sleeping system 100 is a cot width or a twin width,the length L_(SR) will be about same as the width W. In cases where theoverall adjustable sleeping system 100 is a Queen size, a “California”King, or a King size, the length L_(SR) may be half the overall width W.The spring rail 302 also defines a width W_(SR). When assembled into anadjustable sleeping system 100, the width W_(SR) is parallel to thelength L and perpendicular to the width W of the adjustable sleepingsystem 100. In example cases the width W_(SR) is between and including 1inch and 6 inches, and in some cases the width W_(SR) is 3 inches. Theexample spring rail 302 further comprises an upper surface 304 and acorresponding lower surface (not visible in FIG. 3). Moreover, FIG. 3shows the example spring rail 302 has two downwardly projecting walls ordownwardly projecting legs, including downwardly projecting leg 306 on afirst side of the spring rail 302 and running along the length L_(SR),and a downwardly projecting leg 308 on the opposite side of the springrail 302 and running along the length L_(SR). Further, the examplespring rail 302 defines a plurality of apertures 310. The number ofapertures 310 may correspond directly to the number of adjustable springassemblies 104, and thus in some cases between 8 and 40 apertures 310are present. FIG. 3 labels only four of the apertures 310 (310E-310H) soas not to unduly complicate the figure. Each individual aperture 310will be referred to as “aperture 310,” and groups of apertures will bereferred to as “apertures 310.” The apertures 310 are spaced along thelength L_(SR), and each aperture 310 extends from the upper surface 304to the lower surface of the spring rail 302. In example embodiments, thespring rail 302 is made of metallic material, but any suitable material(e.g., high strength plastic, fiberglass) may be used.

The discussion now turns to the adjustable spring assemblies 104.Referring to adjustable spring assembly 104E as representative of allthe adjustable spring assemblies, the example adjustable spring assembly104E comprises a motor 312 with a stator 314 and a rotor (the rotor notvisible in FIG. 3). The rotor of the motor 312 is coupled to a leadscrew 316. The motor 312 may comprise any suitable electric motor thatcan turn the lead screw 316, such as a stepper motor, a direct current(DC) motor, or an alternating current (AC) motor (e.g., squirrel cage orsynchronous). Regardless of the type of motor 312, the motor 312 iscontrolled by the bed controller 118 (FIG. 1). In one exampleembodiment, the motor 312 is housed in a National ElectricalManufacturers Association (NEMA) 17 body, but other body types are alsocontemplated. In example embodiments, the stator 314 is coupled to thespring rail 302 in any suitable fashion.

The lead screw 316 is rigidly coupled to the rotor. Thus, as the rotorof the motor 312 turns, so too does the lead screw 316, but the leadscrew 316 does not translate along its longitudinal axis; rather, theorientation and position of the lead screw 316 relative to the uppersurface 304 remains the same. Thus, the lead screw 316 in the exampleembodiments is referred to as a captive lead screw. However, in othercases the lead screw may be implemented as a non-captive lead screw,where turning of the rotor translates the lead screw along thelongitudinal axis of the lead screw.

When assembled, the lead screw 316 extends above the upper surface 304of the spring rail 302. A spring perch or spring plate 318 is coupled tothe lead screw 316 such that as the lead screw 316 is turned by themotor 312, the spring plate 318 translates up and down along thelongitudinal central axis of the lead screw 316. In embodiments wherethe lead screw 316 is a captive lead screw, the axial relationship ofthe lead screw 316 to the motor 312 does not change, and the springplate 318 is threadingly coupled to the lead screw 316 such that as thelead screw 316 turns, the axial location of the spring plate 318 alongthe lead screw 316 changes. The example lead screw 316 may have an 8millimeter diameter, but larger and smaller diameters are alsocontemplated.

The representative adjustable spring assembly 104E further comprises amain spring 320 in the form of a coil or helical spring having a firstend 322 and a second end 324. When assembled, the first end 322 of themain spring 320 couples to the spring plate 318, and the second end 324abuts an inside surface of the baffle box 300 of fabric. The examplemain spring 320 is a helical spring that is “barreled,” meaning that themain spring 320 has a larger diameter at its medial portion, and smallerdiameters at the first end 322 and second end 324, thus taking theexterior shape of an elongated whiskey barrel. Barreling of the mainspring 320 reduces buckling of the main spring under loads tending totorque the main spring 320 across the central axis of the main spring320. In other cases the main spring 320 may have a single diameter alongthe entire height. In accordance with at least some embodiments, themain spring 320 has a constant spring factor K along its length. Inother cases, however, the main spring 320 may have two or more springconstants along its length. In the example case of two spring constants,the main spring 320 may have a first portion having a first springconstant K1 and a second portion having a second spring constant K2,where the first spring constant K1 is different than the second springconstant K2. Having a main spring with two or more spring constants mayenable finer control of the force carried for lighter loads.

Regardless of the exterior shape and/or how many spring constants themain spring 320 may implement, in example embodiments the main spring320 has a free or un-laden height of between and including 5 inches to20 inches, in some cases between and including 8 inches to 15 inches,and in a particular case about 11 inches. When the components of FIG. 3are fully assembled, the baffle box 300 compresses or preloads each mainspring 320, making the pre-load height between and including 4 inches to19 inches, in some cases between and including 7 inches to 14 inches,and in a particular case about 10 inches.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the example system further comprises thebaffle box 300. The example baffle box 300 is shown in partial cut-awayto highlight some of the interior components. The baffle box 300 definesa top wall 326, a first side wall 328, a second side wall opposite thefirst side wall 328 (the second side wall not visible in FIG. 3), afirst end wall 330, a second end wall opposite the first end wall 330(the second end wall not visible in FIG. 3), and an interior volume 332.Disposed within the interior volume 332 are a plurality of baffles(e.g., baffles 334, 336, 338, and 340). The locations of the remainingbaffles are illustrated by dashed lines along the top wall 326 and firstside wall 328. Each baffle extends between the first side wall 328 andthe second side wall, and the plurality of baffles thus create or definea plurality of pockets within the baffle box 300. When assembled, eachpocket of the baffle box 300 is telescoped over a main spring 320 of arespective adjustable spring assembly 104. In example cases, each pocketof the baffle box 300 is coupled on a lower end directly or indirectlyto the spring rail 302. In some cases, each pocket of the baffle box 300is coupled to a top plate of the motor 312, as will be discussed ingreater detail below.

The baffle box 300 in example cases is made of fabric material, andserves several purposes. First, the baffles (e.g., baffles 334, 336,338, and 340) physically separate the main springs 320 from each otherto reduce or eliminate the possibility of the spring coils interferingwith each other. Moreover, the baffle box 300 acts to slightly compressand thus preload each main spring 320. Further still, the baffle box 300physically couples the main springs 320 to each other to providestructural support against forces tending to displace the tops of themain springs 320 away from alignment with the longitudinal central axesof the lead screws 316. In yet still other cases, the baffle box 300 mayalso act alone or in combination with other components to hold thespring plate 318 against rotation when the motor 312 is turning the leadscrew 316 (e.g., by holding the upper ends of the main springs againstrotation).

As shown in FIG. 3, in example cases each row (e.g., of a twin sizebed)) is created by coupling a plurality of adjustable spring assemblies104 to a spring rail 302. However, the various embodiments are notlimited to that particular construction. For example, a spring rail maydefine a column rather than a row. Moreover, the spring rail may beomitted and each adjustable spring assembly 104 may couple to adifferent underlying structure (e.g., twin size metallic plate withapertures therein) that enables the array format of the adjustablespring assemblies. While FIG. 3 shows the use of the baffle box 300 tocreate the pockets to keep the main springs separated, in other caseseach individual adjustable spring assembly 104 may have a dedicated sockof fabric material telescoped over the main spring, with the sock offabric helping keep the main springs separated. Further still, whetherusing the baffle box 300 or individual socks, additional components maybe present. For example, a slip cover (not specifically shown) may coverthe baffle box 300 and/or individual socks, where the slip cover mayprovide a uniform exterior appearance. The slip cover may also couple toadjacent slip covers to tie together the rows to reduce the chances ofobjects slipping down between the rows and/or columns, and to enable amore uniform upper surface.

Each adjustable spring assembly 104 is designed and constructed suchthat the weight or force carried by each main spring 320 can beadjusted. Stated otherwise, each adjustable spring assembly 104 isdesigned and constructed such that the compression of each main spring320 can be adjusted. That adjustment may take place when the mainsprings 320 are un-laden (e.g., when no persons or objects are on thesleeping surface 102), and the adjustment may take place when persons orobjects reside on the sleeping surface 102. When the bed controller 118(FIG. 1) determines a particular adjustable spring assembly 104 shouldcarry more force, the motor 312 of the particular adjustable springassembly 104 is activated to move the spring plate 318 away from thespring rail 302 and toward the sleeping surface 102 (FIG. 1). Moving thespring plate 318 away from the spring rail 302 and toward the sleepingsurface 102 compresses the main spring 320 and thus the main spring 320carries more weight or force. Oppositely, when the bed controller 118determines a particular adjustable spring assembly 104 should carry lessforce, the motor 312 of the particular adjustable spring assembly 104 isactivated to move the spring plate 318 toward the spring rail 302 andaway from the sleeping surface 102. Moving the spring plate 318 towardthe spring rail 302 and away from the sleeping surface 102 de-compressesthe main spring 320 and thus the main spring 320 carries less weight orforce.

While in some embodiments it is possible that the bed controller 118 maycontrol force carried by each adjustable spring assembly 104 in anopen-loop sense (e.g., without measuring the weight or force carried byeach adjustable spring assembly), in yet still other cases the weight orforce carried by each adjustable spring assembly 104 is measured by aforce sensor. For example, a force sensing mat may be placed over theadjustable spring assemblies 104 after installation. In other cases,each adjustable spring assembly 104 may be associated with a dedicatedforce sensing mat (e.g., coupled to or forming the upper wall 326 of thebaffle box 300). In yet still other cases, each adjustable springassembly 104 may have an associated force sensor, such as by way of astrain gauge associated with the each motor 312.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an adjustable spring assembly(without the main spring) in accordance with at least some embodiments.In particular, the example adjustable spring assembly 104 of FIG. 4shows the motor 312, the lead screw 316, and the spring plate 318. Thedescription turns first to the spring plate 318.

The spring plate 318 is coupled to the lead screw 316 as discussedabove, with the precise type of coupling dependent upon how the leadscrew 316 couples to the rotor of the motor 312 (e.g., captive andnon-captive lead screw). The example spring plate 318 defines an annularshoulder 409 that circumscribes the location of the lead screw 316, anda stop, such as annular flange 408, that extends outward from below theannular shoulder 409. The lower end of the main spring 320 (not shown)couples to the spring plate 318 by telescoping over the annular shoulder409 and resting on the annular flange 408. The example spring plate 318further defines an anti-rotation aperture 410 through the spring plate318 and disposed between the location of the coupling to the lead screw316 and the annular shoulder 409. As the name implies, when present theanti-rotation aperture 410 works in conjunction with a post 412 to holdthe spring plate 318 against rotation during periods of time when themotor 312 is turning the lead screw 316. The example spring plate 318further comprises a set of spring clips 414 disposed on and radiallyspaced around an upper surface of the spring plate 318. FIG. 4 showsthree spring clips, but one or more spring clips may be present. Thespring clips 414 may be used to hold an additional and optional spring,referred to as a massage spring (discussed in greater detail below). Thespring clips 414 are designed and constructed such that as the massagespring is pushed downward over the spring clips 414, the spring clips414 may deflect slightly inward (e.g., deflect toward a longitudinalcentral axis 416 of the lead screw 316), and then snap over and hold thewire forming the lower-most loop of wire of the massage spring. Finally,the example spring plate 318 defines a zero-position post 418. Theexample zero-position post 418 extends downward from a lower surface ofthe spring plate 318. The example zero-position post 418 works inconjunction with a micro-switch (exposed through aperture 420, but notvisible) to inform the motor controller when the spring plate 318 hasreached is lowest or zero position (which may also be a position wherethe respective main spring carries the least force).

The motor 312 comprises the stator 314 as well as an upper or top plate404 and a lower or bottom plate 406. The top plate 404 and bottom plate406 hold the stator 314 together and in place. In the example embodimentof FIG. 4, the top plate 404 is a two-piece component comprising ametallic plate 422 directly abutting the stator 314, and an adapter 424coupled over and abutting the metallic plate 422. The adapter 424defines several additional features, such as the post 412 and theprotrusions 426 and 428. In other cases, however, the top plate 404 maybe an integral component defining all the various features (e.g., post412 and protrusions 426 and 428). Hereafter, reference will be made tothe top plate 404 with the understanding that any feature mentioned maybe an integral portion of the top plate 404, or may be implemented by anadapter (e.g., adapter 424) coupled to the top plate 404. The post 412extends upward from the top plate 404, and a longitudinal central axis430 of the post 412 is parallel to the longitudinal central axis 416 ofthe lead screw 316. The post 412 works in conjunction with theanti-rotational aperture 410 to help hold the example spring plate 318against rotation, and thus the post 412 may be referred to as ananti-rotation post 412.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the example top plate 404 further includesthe buttons or protrusions 426 and 428. In example cases, theprotrusions 426 and 428 share a longitudinal central axis 432, and theprotrusions 426 and 428 extend outward in opposite directions from thetop plate 404. The example longitudinal central axis 432 of theprotrusions is perpendicular to the longitudinal central axis 416 of thelead screw 316. In some cases, the protrusions 426 and 428 are thelocations to which the baffle box 300 (FIG. 3) couples at the locationof each adjustable spring assembly 104.

In the example embodiment of FIG. 4, the bottom plate 406 is amultiple-component assembly comprising a mounting plate or suspensionmember 434, a control PCB 436, and cover piece 438. In exampleembodiments, the suspension member 434 is metallic and directly abutsthe stator 314. The suspension member 434 is associated with a forcesensor (not visible in FIG. 4), where the force sensor is configured tomeasure an amount of weight or force carried by the adjustable springassembly 104. The example suspension member 434 defines two ears or tabs440 and 442. The tabs 440 and 442 extend outward and in the samedirections as the example protrusions 426 and 428. When the adjustablespring assembly 104 is coupled to a respective spring rail, theadjustable spring assembly 104 is suspended by the tabs 440 and 442, andmore particularly the stator 314 and all the components above the statorare suspended above the tabs 440 and 442. Stated otherwise, whenassembled the example adjustable spring assembly 104 is rigidly coupledto the spring rail by way of the tabs 440 and 442, and the adjustablespring assembly 104 is suspended above the bottom plate 406. Othercoupling mechanisms are also possible.

The example bottom plate 406 further comprises the control PCB 436sandwiched between the suspension member 434 and the cover piece 438. Inexample embodiments, electrical connections between various componentsmay be made merely by coupling the three components together. Forexample, a motor controller disposed on the control PCB 436 may beelectrically coupled to electrical pins within a connector (e.g.,connector 444) and the windings of the stator 314 of the motor 312 bystacking the three components together. In other cases, the cover piece438 may be omitted, and the control PCB 436 may be fully or partiallyexposed on the bottom side of the adjustable spring assembly 104. Theelectrical aspects of control of the adjustable spring assembly arediscussed in greater detail below. Each adjustable spring assembly 104comprises a pig tail or electrical cable 450 and correspondingelectrical connector 452. Thus, the electrical connector 452 is designedand constructed to couple to a corresponding electrical connector 444 ofan immediately adjacent adjustable spring assembly 104.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the suspension member 434 in accordancewith at least some embodiments. In particular, the example suspensionmember 434 includes the tabs 440 and 442 extending outward, along withthrough bores 500. Affixation devices (e.g., screws) that are not shownextend through the through bores 500 to couple the suspension member 434to the stator 314 (FIG. 3). Within the main body of the suspensionmember 434 there is a force sensor 502 in the example form a firststrain gauge 504 associated with the tab 440 and second strain gauge 506associated with tab 442. Together the strain gauges 504 and 506 aredesigned and constructed to measure the weight or force carried bysuspension member 434, and thus carried by the adjustable springassembly 104. More particularly, strain gauge 504 measures strainassociated with tab 440, and strain gauge 506 measures strain associatedwith tab 442. The total weight or force carried may thus be calculatedbased on the strain associated with tabs 440 and 442. Having two straingauges is merely an example, and any suitable force sensor that measuresweight or force carried may be used. The force sensor 502 isoperationally coupled to the bed controller 118 (FIG. 1) by way of thecontrol PCB 436 (FIG. 4). In example embodiments the force sensor 502electrically couples to the control PCB 436 by way of electricalconnector 508. That is, the electrical connector 508 is designed andconstructed such that aligning the control PCB 436 with the suspensionmember 434, and then abutting the control PCB 436 against the suspensionmember 434, mechanically and electrically couples the electricalconnector 508 to a mating connector on the control PCB 436 (the matingconnector not shown in FIG. 5). The force sensor 502 (and control PCB436) provide a value indicative of force to the bed controller 118.Thus, when an adjustable spring assembly 104 is mechanically coupled toa spring rail, the force carried by the adjustable spring assembly 104is measured by the force sensor 502 (and other circuits on the controlPCB 436).

Returning to FIG. 3, the motor 312 is affixed to the spring rail 302 bybeing mechanically coupled to the spring rail 302. In at least someexample embodiments, affixing the motor 312 to the spring rail 302comprises rotating the motor 312 relative to the spring rail, therotation about the longitudinal central axis of the lead screw 316, toengage elements (e.g., the tabs 440 and 442 shown in FIG. 4) of thesuspension member 434 to the spring rail 302.

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation, partial cross-sectional view, of aportion of an adjustable spring assembly in accordance with at leastsome embodiments. In particular, shown in FIG. 6 is a side elevationview of the spring plate 318 coupled to the lead screw 316 and inoperational relationship to the post 412. The components of theadjustable spring assembly below the lead screw 316 and post 412 areomitted to provide further detail regarding the springs. In at leastsome embodiments each adjustable spring assembly 104 comprises twosprings—the main spring 320 and a massage spring 600 placedconcentrically within the main spring 320. In FIG. 6, the main spring320 is shown in cross-section to reveal the internal massage spring 600.The main spring 320 is a coil or helical spring that couples on thefirst end 322 by telescoping over the spring plate 318 and resting onthe annular flange 408. The lead screw 316 defines the longitudinalcentral axis 416, and the main spring 320 (in spite of being barrelshaped) has a central axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal centralaxis 416. The optional massage spring 600 defines a central axis 602that is coaxial with the central axis of the main spring 320, and thuscoaxial with the longitudinal central axis 416 of the lead screw 316. Inother cases, however, the massage spring 600 may be shifted such thatthe central axis of the massage spring 600 is parallel to, but notcoaxial with, the remaining central axes.

The massage spring 600 defines a lower end 604 and an upper end 606. Thelower end 604 in the example systems is coupled to the spring plate 318by way of the spring clips 414. Only one spring clip 414 is shown inFIG. 6, but more than one may be used. It is noted that the lower end604 of the massage spring 600 is also shown in partial cross-section toreveal the spring clip 414 clipping over and holding the lower end 604against the upper surface of the spring plate 318. As illustrated byFIG. 6, the main spring 320 defines an uncompressed or un-laden lengthL_(MAIN), with the length as discussed above. The massage spring 600likewise defines an uncompressed or un-laden length L_(MASSAGE) that isless than the L_(MAIN). When the length L_(MAIN) is about 10 inches, thelength L_(MASSAGE) may be between and including 4 inches and 8 inches,and in some cases between and including 5 inches and 6 inches. In somecases, the massage spring 600 has spring constant greater than thespring constant of the main spring 320, but in other cases the springconstant of the massage spring 600 may be the same or smaller than thespring constant of the main spring 320. In accordance with examplesystems, the massage spring 600 is used in conjunction with movement ofthe spring plate 318 to implement an additional massage function for theoverall adjustable sleeping system 100 (FIG. 1). In particular, undercommand of the bed controller 118 (FIG. 1), the adjustable springassembly 104 may quickly drive the spring plate 318 upward to fullycompress the main spring 320, and thus enabling the upper end 606 of themassage spring 600 to extend at least to the second end 324 of the mainspring 320, and in some cases extend above the second end 324 of themain spring 320, to provide a more concentrated force to the body ofperson of the adjustable sleeping system 100. It follows that the springconstant of the massage spring 600 is higher than the spring constant ofthe main spring 320. It is to be understood that implementing a massagefunction is not predicated on the presence of the massage spring 600.Rather, a massage function (discussed more below) may be implemented inthe absence of the massage spring by selectively driving the main spring320 to carry more, and then less, force.

Commercially available beds differ in many respects, but the primarydifferentiator is firmness. The measure of firmness differs bymanufacturer, but in most cases firmness is judged along a spectrum fromvery soft (sometimes “extra plush”) to extra firm. The exampleadjustable sleeping system 100 may emulate the entire firmness spectrum.In particular, for a very soft setting the bed controller 118 maycommand all the adjustable spring assemblies 104 to retract theirrespective spring plates 318 to the position closest to the respectivemotors 312 (e.g., the zero position discussed above). Thus, the user ofthe bed takes advantage of the lower spring constant of the main spring320. Oppositely, for a very firm setting the bed controller 118 maycommand the adjustable spring assemblies 104 to move their respectivespring plates 318 to the position closest to the second ends 324 of themain spring 320. As discussed above, the pockets of the baffle box 300and/or the slip cover limit spring travel, and thus the springs arepartially compressed against the baffle box 300. Thus, for a firm orextra firm setting the user of the bed takes advantage of the mainspring 320 being fully compressed and/or the extra support of themassage spring 600.

While possible that the adjustable spring assemblies 104 could be usedsolely to implement firmness across the entire bed, the individuallyaddressable and controllable adjustable spring assemblies 104 providebetter granularity of control. In particular, in addition to or in placeof the firmness adjustability, example embodiments implement any of anumber of force control and/or force normalization routines. Suchcontrol is implemented and/or supervised by the bed controller 118communicating with each individual adjustable spring assembly 104. Thespecification turns to example communicative structures.

FIG. 7 shows an electrical block diagram of the adjustable sleepingsystem in accordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, FIG.7 shows the bed controller 118 and three example rows of adjustablespring assemblies 104. The reference number scheme of FIG. 7 regardingthe adjustable spring assemblies 104 corresponds to FIGS. 1 and 2 tohelp correlate location within the array of adjustable spring assemblies104. Only three rows of adjustable spring assemblies 104 are shown so asnot to unduly complicate the figure, the rows labeled 700, 702, and 704.Within each row resides a series or set of adjustable spring assemblies104, and the blocks within each row more particularly represent therespective control PCBs 436 of each adjustable spring assembly 104.Thus, example control PCB 436A is a member of the adjustable springassembly 104A. Example control PCB 436B is a member of the adjustablespring assembly 104B. Example control PCB 436C is a member of theadjustable spring assembly 104C.

The bed controller 118 is communicatively coupled to each row 700, 702,and 704 by a respective communications cable 706, 708, and 710. Thecommunications cable may take any suitable form depending thecommunications protocol implemented. The communications cables 706, 708,and 710 may contain electrical conductors, optical conductors, and/orcombinations of the electrical and optical conductors. The protocol usedto communicate from the bed controller 118 to the control PCBs likewisemay take any suitable form. In one example system, the communicationsprotocol used between the bed controller 118 and the control PCBs is theInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) RS485 serialcommunication protocol. However, other communications protocols,including packet-based messaging protocols. In other cases, thecommunication cables 706, 708, and 710 can be omitted and the system mayuse a wireless communications protocol (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth).

The example adjustable spring assemblies along a row are communicativelycoupled together in a daisy-chain fashion, as shown in FIG. 7. Forexample, the first adjustable spring assembly 104A in row 702 iscommunicatively coupled to an immediately adjacent or nearest neighbor(along the row) adjustable spring assembly by way of the electricalcable 450A. The adjacent adjustable spring assembly is coupled to itsnearest neighbor (along the row) adjustable spring assembly 104 way ofits electrical cable 450, and so on, along the row 702. Because theadjustable spring assemblies 104 are modular components, and thus may beplaced in any row and at any location along the row, the finaladjustable spring assembly 104 in row 702 likewise has its electricalcable 450, but that final electrical cable 450 remains unconnected (ormay include a termination connector to reduce signal reflections). Thus,the bed controller 118 may communicate with any adjustable springassembly 104 in row 700 by communicating directly with adjustable springassembly 104A, and communication indirectly (through interveningadjustable spring assembly or assemblies 104) with other adjustablespring assembly in the row 700. It follows that the bed controller 118may communicate with any adjustable spring assembly in any row in asimilar fashion.

The organization of the array of adjustable spring assemblies 104 inrows for assembly and communication purposes is merely an example. Theassembly and communication scheme could be organized along columnsrather than rows. In other cases, the assembly and communication schememay take any suitable form, such as a saw-tooth pattern if theadjustable spring assemblies are arranged in a honeycomb pattern.Further still, the communications organization may be conceptuallydisconnected from the assembly organization. For example, in thehoneycomb pattern the nearest neighbor adjustable spring assemblies mayreside along slanted rows (slanted relative to the length and width)regardless of how the adjustable spring assemblies are physicallyassembled together. The specification now turns to a more detaileddescription of an example bed controller 118.

FIG. 8 shows an electrical block diagram of a bed controller inaccordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, one examplebed controller 118 is implemented as a computer system. The computersystem may be connected (e.g., networked) to other computer systems in alocal area network (LAN), an intranet, an extranet, or the Internet.Further, while only a single computer system is illustrated, the term“computer” shall also be taken to include any collection of computers(e.g., two bed controllers, one each for two twin size beds placedside-by-side) that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiplesets) of instructions to perform control of the adjustable springassemblies 104.

The example bed controller 118 comprises a processing device 802, a mainmemory 804, and a static memory 806, all communicatively coupled by wayof bus 810. The main memory 804 may be read-only memory (ROM), flashmemory, and/or dynamic random access memory (DRAM) such as synchronousDRAM (SDRAM). The static memory 806 may be flash memory, ROM, and/orstatic random access memory (SRAM).

Processing device 802 represents one or more general-purpose processingdevices such as a microprocessor, central processing unit, or the like.More particularly, the processing device 802 may be a complexinstruction set computing (CISC) microprocessor, reduced instruction setcomputing (RISC) microprocessor, very long instruction word (VLIW)microprocessor, or a processor implementing other instruction sets orprocessors implementing a combination of instruction sets. Theprocessing device 802 may also be one or more special-purpose processingdevices such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP),network processor, or the like. The processing device 802 is configuredto execute instructions for performing any of the force control aspectsand/or massage function aspects of the adjustable spring assemblies 104,with specific examples discussed in great detail below.

The example bed controller 118 may further include a network interfacedevice 812. The bed controller 118 also may include a video display 814(e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), oneor more input devices 816 (e.g., a keyboard and/or a mouse), and one ormore microphones 818 (e.g., to listen for snoring, or to receive voicecommands). In one illustrative example, the video display 814 and theinput device(s) 816 may be combined into a single component or device(e.g., an LCD touch screen).

The data storage device 808 may include a computer-readable medium 820on which the instructions 822 embodying any one or more of the functionsdescribed herein are stored. The instructions 822 may also residecompletely, or at least partially, within the main memory 804 and/orwithin the processing device 802 during execution thereof by theprocessing device 802 of the bed controller 118. As such, the mainmemory 804 and the processing device 802 also constitutecomputer-readable media. The instructions 822 may further be transmittedor received over a network 813 via the network interface device 812.

The example bed controller 118 further comprises a short-range wirelessadapter 824 to enable communication with the portable computing system(e.g., smart phone or tablet device) of a person residing on theadjustable sleeping system 100 (FIG. 1). The short-range wirelessadapter 824 may implement any suitable wireless communication protocol,or multiple communications protocols. For example, the short-rangewireless adapter 824 may implement Bluetooth, or one of the manyvariants of the IEEE 820.11 protocol. Using these or other protocols,the bed controller 118 may receive commands from a person residing onthe adjustable sleeping system 100, for example to receive an indicationto implement a force control function (e.g., increase or decreasefirmness, begin or end a massage function, select a particular bodyportion (less than the entire body) to receive special treatment).

Finally, the example bed controller 118 further comprises one more bedinterfaces 826 coupled to the bus 810. That is, in cases where thecommunication protocol used to couple to the network 813 is differentthan a communication protocol used to communicate with the adjustablespring assemblies 104, additional bed interfaces 826 may be used. In theexample system, the communication protocol used to communicate with theadjustable spring assemblies is the IEEE RS485 serial communicationprotocol, and thus the bed interface 826 may implement the RS485protocol.

FIG. 9 shows an electrical block diagram of the control PCB inaccordance with at least some embodiments. In particular, the examplecontrol PCB 436 interfaces with components off the control PCB 436 byway of a plurality of connectors, such as power connector 900,communication connector 902, force sensor connector 904, and motorconnector 906. The power connector 900 may couple to both upstream anddownstream adjustable spring assemblies, and thus may be electricallyconnected to both the externally accessible electrical connector 444(FIG. 4) and electrical cable 450 (FIG. 4). In example cases, thecontrol PCB 436 is provided DC power (e.g., 12 VDC) to power the variouscomponents on the control PCB 436. Similar to the power connector 900,the communication connector 902 may couple to both upstream anddownstream adjustable spring assemblies, and thus may be electricallyconnected to both the externally accessible electrical connector 444 andelectrical cable 450. The load cell connector 904 is designed andconstructed to couple the mating electrical connector 508 (FIG. 5)associated with the force sensor 502 (also FIG. 5). And finally, themotor connector 906 is designed and constructed to couple to the windingor windings disposed within the stator 314 of the motor 312 (both FIG.3).

In example systems, each control PCB 436 includes a controller 908(e.g., a PIC16F19155 microcontroller available from Microchip TechnologyInc. of Chandler, Ariz.). The example controller 908 defines a pluralityof input and output ports. For example, the controller 908 defines atransmit port 910 and a receive port 912. In the example system, thetransmit port 910 couples to a protocol receiver 914, and the receiveport 912 couples to a protocol transmitter 916. In example systems, theprotocol receiver 914 and the protocol transmitter 916 implement acommunication protocol, such as the IEEE RS485 serial communicationprotocol discussed above. By way of the communication protocol, the bedcontroller 118 (FIGS. 1 and 8) may command the controller 908 to takeaction, such as increasing or decreasing the weight or force carried bythe adjustable spring assembly 104 within which the controller 908 isimplemented.

The controller 908 further includes an analog-to-digital (ND) input port918. In the example system, the ND input port 918 may be used to readvalues indicative of force from the force sensor 502. In particular, theexample system comprises an interface circuit 920 electrically disposedbetween the ND input port 918 and the connector 904 (and thus the forcesensor 502). The interface circuit 920 may implement circuits used topower and/or read the force sensor 502. The precise nature of theinterface circuit 920 depends on the type of force sensor 502implemented. In an example case the interface circuit 920 implements adifferential amplifier, with the type of differential amplifierdependent upon the precise nature of the force sensor 502. While in theexample system the interface circuit 920 couples to the controller 908by way the ND input port 918, other communication systems may be used(e.g., serial interface).

Still referring to FIG. 9, the example control PCB 436 further comprisesa motor controller 922. The motor controller 922 is electrically coupledto, and receives power from, the power connector 900. The motorcontroller 922 couples to the motor connector 906, and thus whenassembled into an adjustable spring assembly 104 the motor controller922 couples to the winding or windings of the motor 312. The precisenature of the motor controller 922 depends on the type of motor 312implemented within the adjustable spring assembly 104.

The controller 908 defines a serial communication port 924, and in theexample system the controller 908 communicates with the motor controller922 over the serial communication port 924. The serial communicationport 924, and related protocol, may take any suitable form (e.g., aserial peripheral interface (SPI)). In other cases, the controller 908may be communicatively coupled to the motor controller 922 by anysuitable communication systems, including by sending and/or receivinganalog signals to/from the motor controller 922.

The controller 908 in some cases has onboard random access memory (RAM)and non-volatile storage (e.g., read-only member (ROM)), but in theexample system the controller PCB 436 also implements external RAM 926and external ROM 928. The example RAM 926 and ROM 928 arecommunicatively coupled to the controller 908 by way of the serialcommunication port 924, but any suitable communication system andprotocol may be used. The RAM 926 may be used to store programs executedby a processor of the controller 908 (the processor not specificallyshown), and in some cases the RAM 926 may be the working memory for thecontroller 908. Further still, the RAM 926 itself may implement anon-volatile aspect (e.g., the RAM 926 may be static RAM (SRAM)). TheROM 928 may likewise be used to store programs executed by a processorof the controller 908, including the underlying operating system andbasic input-output system (BIOS) services. The ROM 928 may take anysuitable form, such as an electrically-erasable programmable ROM(EEPROM).

Still referring to FIG. 9, the example control PCB 436 further comprisesa set of identification switches 930 coupled to the controller 908. Inthe example system the controller 908 defines a plurality of digitalinputs 932. By way of the digital inputs 932, the controller 908 mayread the on/off state of each switch of the identification switches 930.Using the identification switches 930, the controller 908, and thus thecontrol PCB 436 and overall adjustable spring assembly, can be uniquelyidentified by the bed controller 118. In other cases, however,identification of each adjustable spring assembly make take placeprogrammatically (e.g., reading a unique media access control (MAC)address from each control PCB), and thus the identification switches 930may be omitted, or used for other functions. For example, the switchesmay be used to identify membership in a particular row, or the switchesmay be used to identify the first adjustable spring assembly in a row(e.g., of FIG. 7, row 700 or row 702) when the communication protocolrelies on communicatively daisy-chaining of the adjustable springassemblies 104.

The specification now turns more specifically to example methods ofoperation of the adjustable sleeping system 100. The bed controller 118may be designed, constructed, and/or programmed to implement a host ofbeneficial methods or functions using the adjustable nature of theadjustable spring assemblies 104. In some embodiments the functionalitydescribed below is software or instructions stored on a memory (e.g.,data storage device 808) and executed by processing device 802 of thebed controller 118. In other cases, the bed controller 118 may programthe controllers 908 of the control PCBs 436 to perform some or all thefunctionality. In other cases, the functionality may be “hardwired” intothe bed controller 118, such as by burning a field programmable gatearray (FPGA), alone or combination with other systems. In yet stillother cases, the functionality may be software on the user's mobilecomputing device (e.g., mobile phone, tablet device) that sends commandsto the bed controller 118 and the controllers 908 (through the bedcontroller 118).

At the highest conceptual level, the bed controller 118 may implementcontrol and/or adjustment of firmness across the entire sleeping surface102 of the adjustable sleeping system 100. For example, the bedcontroller 118 may receive a command to adjust the entire sleepingsurface 102 to a particular firmness setting, the firmness settingselected from a range of settings along a spectrum from extra plush toextra firm. Based on the selected overall firmness, each adjustablespring assembly 104 may be driven to implement the desired firmness.More particularly, the bed controller 118 may command each adjustablespring assembly 104 to drive their respective spring plates 318 to thesame or about the same positions relative to any consistent reference(e.g., relative to the sleeping surface 102 if no person or objectresides on the bed, or relative to the top plate 404 of each motor 312).The driving of the spring plates 318 to implement the selected overallfirmness setting may also take place when the person resides on thesleeping surface 102.

In addition to, or in place of, adjusting firmness across the entireadjustable sleeping system 100, example embodiments may implement forcecontrol by the adjustable spring assemblies 104 beneath a personresiding on the sleeping surface 102. The specification thus turns to adescription of sensing an area of the sleeping surface upon which aperson resides, and then turns to example force control features.

FIG. 10 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface 102 of anadjustable sleeping system 100, in accordance with at least someembodiments. In particular, the example sleeping surface 102 isconceptually, though not necessarily physically, divided into a gridwith each square in the grid representing the location of an adjustablespring assembly 104. The size of the squares representing the locationsof the adjustable spring assemblies 104 is exaggerated for clarity.Consider that initially nobody is laying on the sleeping surface 102.The bed controller 118 (FIG. 1) may have each adjustable spring assembly104 set to implement a particular firmness setting (either selected or adefault setting). Once a person lays down on the sleeping surface 102,at locations where the person resides the respective adjustable springassemblies 104 carry more force. As the human body has a shape, acontour, and a weight distribution, the force carried varies over thesleeping surface 102. For example, more force will be carried by theadjustable spring assemblies 104 beneath the torso of the person, andlikewise more force will initially be carried by the adjustable springassembles 104 beneath the buttocks of the person.

FIG. 10 shows an example loading, with grid squares with more denseshading representing areas of higher force carried. For example, grids1000 represent areas of highest force carried, grids 1002 represent nexthighest force carried, grids 1004 represent next highest force, andgrids 1006 represent the lowest force carried. The four contiguous grids1000 may be the location of the buttocks, the two contiguous grids 1000may be the upper torso, and grids 1004 may be the legs. The upper fourgrids 1006 may be the head, and the grids 1006 along each side of thebody may be the arms or are only partially beneath the person. Theremaining grids carry no weight (beyond the weight of sheets, blankets,pets, and the like).

In accordance with at least some embodiments, the adjustable sleepingsystem 100 senses an area of the sleeping surface 102 upon which aperson resides, the area being less than the entire area of the sleepingsurface 102. For example, area 1008 is shown in dark lines as an examplearea within the sleeping surface 102. In example cases where eachadjustable spring assembly 104 implements a force sensor 502 (FIG. 5),the sensing may be by the bed controller 118 reading a force value fromeach adjustable spring assembly 104 in the array. In cases in which noforce gauges are implemented, sensing the sleeping area may involvecommanding each adjustable spring assembly 104 to make a movement ofpredetermined distance of their respective spring plates 318 (e.g.,driving the spring plates 318 toward the sleeping surface 102 apredetermined distance), and measuring an amount of electrical currentdrawn by each motor 312 to accomplish the task. Higher current used tomove a spring plate 318 may be indicative of higher force carried by theadjustable spring assembly 104. Regardless of how the force isdetermined, the adjustable sleeping system 100 senses the area 1008 ofthe sleeping surface 102 upon which the person resides. Using theinformation about the area, the adjustable sleeping system 100 may drivea plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104, the plurality being theadjustable spring assemblies beneath the area 1008, to control forcedistribution among the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104.The control of force distribution may implement any one of a number ofmethods and functions. The description starts with a force normalizationand/or force averaging.

One example control of force distribution is force averaging.Implementing force averaging redistributes the force such that theweight or force carried by each adjustable spring assembly 104 of theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104 supporting the person isuniform. For example, the adjustable spring assemblies 104 associatedwith grids 1000 carrying the highest force will adjust by moving theirspring plates 318 (FIG. 3) toward their motors 312 (FIG. 3), thusproviding less force. Adjustable spring assemblies 104 carrying lessweight or force (e.g., spring assemblies associated with grids 1004 and1006) will adjust by moving their spring plates 318 toward the sleepingsurface 102, thus providing or carrying more force. Stated differently,adjustable spring assemblies 104 initially in high force areas willadjust toward the plush end of the spectrum, while adjustable springassemblies 104 in the low force areas will adjust toward to the firm endof the spectrum, all in an effort to normalize the force carried. Forceaveraging reduces “hot spots” that cause discomfort, and thus sleepingposition changes. Reduction of “hot spots” also reduces bed sores commonfor bed-bound patients.

In accordance with example embodiments, implementing the force averagingmay involve calculating (e.g., by the bed controller 118) an averageforce value carried by the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104beneath the area 1008, the calculation prior to making any correction.With the average force value calculated, the example method thencomprises driving (e.g., by command of the bed controller 118) each ofthe plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104 to carry a force aboutequal to the average force value. More specifically still, in accordancewith example embodiments the force averaging method may comprisedetermining that a person has laid on the sleeping surface 102. Theexample method then reads the force carried by each adjustable springassembly 104, and excludes the adjustable spring assemblies 104 notinvolved in carrying the weight or force of the person (i.e., determinesthe area 1008). With the force values from the remaining adjustablespring assemblies 104 carrying force, the example method calculates anaverage force value, being the sum of the force values from theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104 beneath the area 1008divided by the number of the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies104 (and hereafter just “average force”). The example method theninstructs each of the plurality of adjustable spring assembly 104 toadjust to carry a force equal or about equal to the average force.Having each adjustable spring assembly 104 carry a force exactly equalto the average force may not be practical, may cause oscillations, andbecause of slight variations in motor 312 performance and springconstants may not be possible. Thus, in some cases the example methodinstructs each adjustable spring assembly of the plurality of adjustablespring assemblies 104 to adjust to carry a force within a range orwindow of values around the average force. The intelligence for makingthe determination regarding the range or window of values may reside inthe bed controller 118 (FIG. 1). In other cases, the bed controller 118may instruct or program the control PCB 436 of each adjustable springassembly 104 with the range of values, and set each control PCB 436 tothe task of adjusting. Moreover, the example method may make theadjustments in phases, first adjusting with large granularity,recalculating the average value, and then adjusting with finergranularity, and so on.

The force averaging aspects are agnostic to position of the person(e.g., face up, face down, left side, or right side) on the sleepingsurface 102. However, in example embodiments the granularity of theforce values provides sufficient information to determine more than justthe area upon which the person resides. In particular, in furtherexample embodiments the bed controller 118 is able to determine bodyposition, and certain additional functions may be implemented with thebody position information. The specification now turns to determinationof position of the person, and features that may be implemented whenposition is known.

FIG. 11 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface 102 of anadjustable sleeping system 100, in accordance with at least someembodiments. Again, the sleeping surface 102 is conceptually, though notnecessarily physically, divided into a grid with each square in the gridrepresenting the location of an adjustable spring assembly 104. The sizeof the squares representing the locations of the adjustable springassemblies 104, though denser than FIG. 10, is nevertheless exaggeratedfor purposes of clarity. In particular, consider that initially nobodyis laying on the sleeping surface 102. The bed controller 118 may haveeach adjustable spring assembly 104 set to implement a particularfirmness setting (either selected or a default setting). Once a personlays on the bed, at locations where the person resides the plurality ofadjustable spring assemblies 104 beneath the person carry more force.FIG. 11 shows an example loading with a person laying in a face-upsleeping position, with adjustable spring assemblies carrying load shownin shading. The shading is uniform in FIG. 11 so as not to undulycomplicate the figure, but the force distribution would again track thecontours and weight distribution of the user (prior to forcenormalization, if implemented). In some cases, distinguishing sleepingposition may take into account force distribution (e.g., to distinguishface up from face down). Visible in the example force distribution ofFIG. 11 are the user's head, arms, torso, and legs.

FIG. 12 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface 102 of anadjustable sleeping system 100 with the person of FIG. 11 shown inshorthand notation (e.g., the person's outline sketched out), and inaccordance with at least some embodiments. FIG. 12 may thus representthe user residing face up, with the face up determination based on anyavailable information, including initial force distribution. Face downwill have similar shorthand notation, and thus face down is notspecifically shown. FIG. 13 shows, in the shorthand notation, a usersleeping on the user's right side. FIG. 14 shows, in the shorthandnotation, the user sleeping on the user's left side.

More particularly still, in example embodiments the bed controller 118is configured to sense an actual body position of the person within thearea. The actual body position may include: residing on the person'sback (e.g., FIG. 12); residing on the person's right side (FIG. 13);residing on the person's left side (FIG. 14); and residing on theperson's stomach. The determination may be made based on the values offorce read from each of the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies104 beneath the area. In some cases the bed controller 118 may be ableto make the determinations based on instructions installed at thefactory. In other cases, the bed controller 118 may implement a trainingphase where the person lays on the sleeping surface 102 in each of thepositions and informs the bed controller 118 such that the bedcontroller 118 has basis functions for making the determination. In yetstill other cases, the bed controller 118 may implement a neural networkhaving input nodes and output nodes. The number of input nodes maycorrespond directly to the number of adjustable spring assemblies 104.The output nodes may be four output nodes, each output node producing aBoolean output to indicate the sleeping position of the user. Anynon-zero number of intermediate layers (i.e., between the input nodesand output nodes), with any non-zero number nodes within each layer, maybe used. In some cases, the neural network may be pre-trained beforedelivery to the end user. In other cases the training phase mentionedabove may be used to train the neural network.

In accordance with example embodiments that implement a determination ofbody position, additional features may be implemented. In particular,example embodiments may implement a “follow me” feature and “cradle me”feature where one or more selected body portions are identified andspecial treatment provided. That is, in example methods, the persondesignates (e.g., by interaction with bed controller 118) one moreportions to be selected body portions. Once designated, the bedcontroller 118 may determine a location of the selected body portionwithin the area based on the body position. As the person changesposition, with each change of position the bed controller 118 may againdetermine the location of the selected body portion. If the selectedbody portion is in contact with the sleeping surface 102, the bedcontroller 118 may control force distribution by driving a first subsetof the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104, the first subsetbeneath the selected body portion, to carry a different force thanremaining adjustable spring assemblies. In some cases, the driving is tocarry more force. Driving to carry more force may result in the selectedbody portion being held at a higher elevation relative to gravity thanother, non-selected body portions. In yet still other cases, the drivingis to carry less force.

Consider as an example of the “follow me” feature, that the person onthe sleeping surface 102 has a right hip that is particularly sensitiveto touch or pressure. Through interaction with the bed controller 118(e.g., directly, or through an application running on the person'smobile computing device) the person could designate the right hip, andrequest that the force applied to the right hip be adjusted (e.g.,reduced or increased). In the example method, first the sleepingposition is determined, such as discussed above with respect to FIGS.11-14. Once the sleeping position is determined, the example methodimplements the special treatment for the right hip, in this example,reducing force applied to the right hip. Consider that the person isinitially face up as shown in FIG. 11. The bed controller 118 identifiesthe right hip for the current position of the person, and the bedcontroller 118 commands the spring assemblies 104 under the right hip todecrease force carried. In some cases, other spring assemblies in thevicinity of the example right hip will increase force to help hold theuser relatively flat (e.g., attempting to keep the spine straight). Asthe user rolls to the right side, as shown in FIG. 13, again in theexample method the bed controller 118 commands the spring assemblies 104under the right hip to decrease force. And again, in some cases, otherspring assemblies 104 in the vicinity of the example right hip increaseforce to help support the user in the desired configuration. If the userrolls to the left side, as shown in FIG. 14, no action is taken as theright hip is not in contact with the sleeping surface 102 of theadjustable sleeping system 100, but as soon the user returns to aposition where the example right hip is in contact, the methodcontinues.

Consider, as an example of the “cradle me” feature, that the user has aleft knee or lower leg issue that is made better by having the left legelevated. The person could thus designate the left leg throughinteraction with the bed controller 118 (e.g., directly, or through anapplication running on the person's mobile computing device), andrequest that the special treatment be holding the left leg higher thanthe hips and torso. In the example method, first the sleeping positionis determined, such as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 11-14. Oncethe sleeping position is determined, the example method implements thespecial treatment for the left leg, in this example, increasing forceapplied to left leg, possibly while decreasing force to remaininglocations where the body is present with the result being the left legis held higher than the remaining body parts. Depending on the densityof the spring assemblies implemented, the spring assemblies at thelocation of the left knee and lower leg may indeed implement forcedistribution that is trough-like, with higher forces at the “edges” ofthe leg, and lower forces in the center of the calf region, to not onlyhold the left leg higher but also tend to center and cradle the leg inthe trough-like region.

In accordance with example embodiments that implement a determination ofposition of the person on the sleeping surface, another feature that maybe implemented is a feature to cause or encourage the person to roll. Inparticular, these example methods comprise sensing (e.g., by the bedcontroller 118), an actual body position of the person within the area.The example method may comprise driving the plurality of adjustablespring assemblies to encourage a roll of the person from the actual bodyposition to a second body position. Encouraging a roll may be from anyactual body position to any suitable second body position. For example,encouraging a roll may include: driving the plurality of adjustablespring assemblies to encourage the roll of the person from the actualbody position being laying on the person's back to the second bodyposition being laying on the person's side; and driving the plurality ofadjustable spring assemblies to encourage the roll of the person fromthe actual body position being laying on the person's side to the secondbody position being laying on the person's back.

The specification refers to “encourage” a roll for a couple of reasons.First, depending a host of factors (e.g., weight of the person, un-ladenlength of the main springs 320, total travel distance of the springplates 318 along respective lead screws 316), it may not be possible tophysically roll the person from position-to-position using only theadjustable spring assemblies 104. Second, a roll from one position tothe next position may involve repositioning arms and/or legs relative tothe person's torso, which may not be possible using only the adjustablespring assemblies 104. Thus, the example embodiments adjust some or allof the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies to encourage the rollwith the goal of causing a brain arousal sufficient to have the personwake sufficiently to complete roll on their own.

Consider, as an example, a person sleeping face up (i.e., the person'sback on the sleeping surface 102). Further consider that the person isexperiencing sleep apnea in the form of snoring. The bed controller 118may determine that the person is snoring. For example, vibrationsassociated with snoring may be sensed by the force sensor 502 (FIG. 5)in a subset of the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies 104(e.g., adjustable spring assemblies 104 beneath the head and/or chest ofthe person). In other cases, the bed controller 118 may sense thesnoring by way of the microphone 818 (FIG. 8). In yet still other cases,a sleeping partner may interact with the bed controller 118 (e.g.,directly, or through an application running on the person's mobilecomputing device) to inform the bed controller 118 of the issue.Regardless of how the bed controller 118 determines the person issnoring, in the example case the bed controller 118 may encourage a rollby driving a first subset of the plurality of adjustable springassemblies 104 to carry less force, and driving a second subset ofplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies 104 to carry more force.

Consider, as an even more specific example, the bed controller 118encourages a roll from the person's back to the person's right side. Insuch a situation, and referring again to FIG. 12, the bed controller 118may drive the first subset of the plurality of adjustable springassemblies 104 to carry less force, the first subset being adjustablespring assemblies 104 in columns on the on right side of the person'sbody (the right side of the person shown by arrow 1200). In some cases,the bed controller 118 may drive first subset to carry a lower force,such as a minimum force (e.g., the springs plates 318 are driven totheir zero position). Stated otherwise, the first subset of theadjustable spring assemblies 104 may be driven to a more plush position,such as the extra plush position. Moreover, the bed controller 118 maydrive the second subset of the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies104 to carry more force, the first subset being adjustable springassemblies 104 in columns on the on left side of the person's body (theleft side of the person shown by arrow 1202). In some cases, the bedcontroller 118 may drive the second subset to carry a higher force, suchas a maximum force (e.g., the springs plates 318 are driven to theirmost distal position along their respective lead screws 316). Statedotherwise, the second subset of adjustable spring assemblies 104 may bedriven to a more firm position, such as the extra firm position. Incases where the adjustable spring assemblies 104 have massage springs600 (FIG. 6), the second subset of the adjustable spring assemblies 104may be driven such that the massage springs 600 carry some or all theforce of each adjustable spring assembly 104 of the second subset.Regardless of the precise nature of the driving of the first and secondsubsets of adjustable spring assemblies, the bed controller 118encourages a roll from an actual body position being the person on theirback to a second body position being the right side, in this example.

In accordance with example embodiments that implement a determination ofbody position, yet still further features may be implemented. Inparticular, example embodiments may implement a disembarkation feature.That is, in example methods sensing the body position may furthercomprise sensing that the person is positioned for disembarkation fromthe sleeping surface. That is, the bed controller 118 may determine,based on reading force values from the array of adjustable springassemblies 104, that the person is positioned at the edge of thesleeping surface. Determining that the person is positioned at the edgeof the sleeping surface for disembarkation may be distinguished fromother positions both by force carried and size of the area. That is,when a person is laying on the sleeping surface 102, the person's weightis distributed over an area whose length and width is proportional tothe size of the person. When positioned for disembarkation, by contrast,the person is likely sitting on the end of the bed with the legs andfeet dangling off the bed (possibly with the feet resting on the floor).Regardless, once the bed controller 118 determines that the person ispositioned for disembarkation, the example method comprises driving theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies to assist the disembarkation.

Driving to assist the disembarkation may take many forms. In cases wherethe sleeping surface 102 is closer to the floor than a length of aperson's legs, driving the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104to assist disembarkation may involve driving the plurality of adjustablespring assemblies to increase force carried by the plurality ofadjustable spring assemblies 104. Increasing the force may raise thebuttocks of the person relative to the floor to reduce the amount of legextension needed to stand. Stated otherwise, these example embodimentsmake the edge of the sleeping surface 102 more firm (e.g., driving allthe way to extra firm) to assist in disembarkation. Oppositely, in caseswhere the sleeping surface 102 is farther from the floor than the lengthof the person's legs, driving the plurality of adjustable springassemblies to assist the disembarkation may involve driving theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies to decrease force carried bythe plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104. Decreasing the forcemay lower the buttocks of the person relative to the floor to reduce oreliminate the distance from the person's feet to the floor to reduce oreliminate the need to jump down to the floor. Stated otherwise, theseexample embodiments make the edge of the sleeping surface 102 softer(e.g., extra plush) to assist in disembarkation.

Another example feature that may be implemented in systems where adetermination of body position is implemented is a maternity feature. Inparticular, when the pregnant person is on her left side or right side,the adjustable spring assemblies 104 under her belly may provideadditional support. Moreover, once the adjustable sleeping system 100 isaware of the pregnancy, the systems and methods may track growth andweight change.

Another example feature that may be implemented in systems where adetermination of body position is implemented is spinal alignment, andin some cases intentional spinal misalignment. In particular, since thespring constants for the main springs 320 are known, and the forcecarried by each main spring 320 is measured in many cases, it ispossible to calculate the location of the upper or second end 324 (FIG.3) of each main spring 320. Thus, once a sleeping position isdetermined, it is possible to implement any desired alignment, ormisalignment, of the spine of the user.

In addition to, or in place of, the force control features discussedabove, example embodiments may also implement a massage feature ormassage function. In particular, some example embodiments massage aperson residing on the sleeping surface 102 of the adjustable sleepingsystem 100. More particularly, example methods comprise sensing the areaof the sleeping surface 102 upon which the person resides as discussedabove. Massaging may comprise driving the plurality of adjustable springassemblies beneath the area.

The massage function may take several forms. For example, the massagefunction may be at a single location on the sleeping surface 102 (e.g.,implemented by a single adjustable spring assembly 104). With respect tothe single location, in example methods the person designates (e.g., byinteraction with bed controller 118) the single location. Oncedesignated, the bed controller 118 implements the massage function usingthe adjustable spring assembly 104 at the single location. In othercases, the massage function may be implemented within a designated arealess than the entire area upon which the person resides. With respect toa designated area, in example methods, the person designates (e.g., byinteraction with bed controller 118) the designated area. Oncedesignated, the bed controller 118 implements a massage function withinthe designated area. Further still, the massage function may be withrespect to a particular body portion less than the entire body. Withrespect to a particular body portion, in example methods, the persondesignates (e.g., by interaction with bed controller 118) the selectedbody portion. Once designated, the bed controller 118 may determine alocation of the selected body portion within the area based on the bodyposition, and the massage function may be implemented only with respectto that selected body portion (e.g., shoulders, neck, or lower back).Further still, the massage function may be with respect the entire areawithin which the person resides.

In situations where the massage function is implemented within an arealarger than a single adjustable spring assembly 104, the massagefunction may take many forms. For example, within the area the massagefunction may be implemented in a random or pseudo-random pattern. Inanother example, within the area the massage function may be implementedas a predetermined pattern of one or more spring assemblies implementingincreased force. The predetermined pattern may be any suitable patternor repeating pattern. As yet another example, within the area themassage function may be implemented as travelling wave fronts ofincreased force, the travelling wave fronts moving in any suitabledirection.

FIG. 15 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface 102 of anadjustable sleeping system 100 in order to discuss the example massagefunction in greater detail, and in accordance with at least someembodiments. In particular, as before the example sleeping surface 102is conceptually, though not necessarily physically, divided into a gridwith each square in the grid representing the location of an adjustablespring assembly 104. The size of the squares representing the locationsof the adjustable spring assemblies 104 is exaggerated for purposes ofclarity. FIG. 15 shows an example area 1501 within which a person layingin a face-up or face-down position with arms at the person's sides, andwith adjustable spring assemblies carrying load shown with shading. Theshading is mostly uniform in FIG. 15 so as not to unduly complicate thefigure, with two example non-uniform loadings discussed in greaterdetail below. However, the force distribution would again track thecontours and weight distribution of the user (prior to forcenormalization, if implemented).

In some example cases, massaging the person may comprise driving a firstadjustable spring assembly 104 to carry more weight or force than anearest neighbor adjustable spring assembly 104. For example, in FIG. 15the adjustable spring assembly beneath location 1500 is driven to carrymore weight or force, as shown by the denser surface shading compared toan example nearest neighbor location 1502 (e.g., a nearest neighborbeing an abutting location or contiguous location in any direction).Thus, location 1500 is an example of a massage function at a singlelocation, or a single point of massage within designated area (e.g.,beneath a selected body portion). In some cases, the driving to carrymore force may comprise driving the first adjustable spring assembly toincrease compression of the main spring by at least one inch, and in aparticular case driving the first adjustable spring assembly 104 toincrease compression by at least three inches. The massage function maythen further comprise driving the first adjustable spring assembly 104to carry an original force (not specifically shown in FIG. 15). Usingadjustable spring assemblies having only the main spring 320 (FIG. 3),or during periods of time before the massage spring 600 (FIG. 6)engages, the increased force concentration on the body of the person maybe within an area of about nine square inches (e.g., three inches bythree inches). The experience may be heighten in cases where theadjustable spring assemblies 104 include the massage springs 600. Whenthe massage spring 600 engages, the force concentration on the body maybe within a smaller area being about four square inches (e.g., twoinches by two inches). The experience may be further heighten in caseswhere the adjustable spring assemblies 104 have a smaller diameter mainspring 316. With a smaller diameter main spring 316, the forceconcentration on the body may be within a smaller area still (e.g.,about one square inch for a one inch diameter main spring 316). Thedriving of the first adjustable spring assembly 104 to carry more force,and then driving the first adjustable spring assembly 104 to again carryless force (e.g., back to the original force), may mimic a massagefunction of a thumb pressing on a sore muscle (e.g., on a knot in amuscle), or an elbow pressing on a sore muscle in a deep tissue massage.

In example cases, each adjustable spring assembly 104 is designed andconstructed to drive its respective spring plate 318 (FIG. 3) from theextra plush position to the extra firm position in about four seconds.Stated otherwise, in example cases each adjustable spring assembly 104is designed and constructed to drive its respective spring plate 318(FIG. 3) from a position closest to the top plate 404 (FIG. 6) to aposition farthest from the top plate 404 in about four seconds. Acomplete cycle of an example massage function based on a full scaletravel and back of the spring plate 318 along the lead screw 316 maytake about eight seconds. However, depending on the initial setting forfirmness and/or the any adjustments made to implement force control, thedriving may be from an intermediate position to the position farthestfrom the top plate 404 and back to the intermediate position, and thusin other cases a complete cycle of a massage function may take aboutfour seconds.

Still referring to FIG. 15, as another example of the massage functionconsider that the adjustable spring assembly beneath location 1510 isdriven to carry more weight or force, and that at least one nearestneighbor adjustable spring assembly is driven to carry less weight orforce. Thus, location 1510 is an example of a massage function at asingle location, or a single point of massage within designated area(e.g., beneath a selected body portion). In the example of FIG. 15, theabutting and contiguous nearest neighbor adjustable spring assembliesbeneath locations 1512, 1514, 1516, 1518, 1520, 1522, 1524, and 1526 aredriven to carry less weight or force to heighten the experience withrespect to the adjustable spring assembly beneath location 1510 carryingmore weight or force. In some cases, the driving is simultaneous (e.g.,location 1510 driven to carry more force simultaneous the remainingcontiguous and abutting locations driven to carry less force). In othercases, the contiguous and abutting locations may be driven initially tocarry less force, and remain at the lower force settings as the mainlocation 1510 cycles between higher force and less force. In theseexample cases, the massage function may be implemented as a change inrelative compression of the main spring for the adjustable springassembly at the main location 1510 relative to compression of a mainspring of a nearest neighbor adjustable spring assembly (e.g., location1512). For example, the driving to carry more force may comprise drivingthe adjustable spring assembly beneath the main location 1510 toincrease relative compression with respect to a nearest neighboradjustable spring assembly by at least one inch (e.g., the main springbeneath location 1510 increased by 0.5 inch while the main springbeneath location 1512 decreased by 0.5 inch), and in a particular caseincreasing the relative compression by two inches or more.

With respect to the area upon which a person resides, the massagefunction may also take many forms. For example, once the area upon whichthe person resides is determined (in any suitable form), driving theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies may comprise driving in arandom pattern within the area. In other cases, the massage function maycomprise receiving, by the bed controller 118, a designation of aselected area, the selected area less than the entire area over whichperson resides. With the selected area, the bed controller 118 mayimplement a massage function by driving the plurality of adjustablespring assemblies beneath the selected area (e.g., in a random pattern,a predefined pattern, or as traveling wave fronts of increased force)and refraining from driving adjustable spring assemblies beneathnon-selected areas. In other cases, the massage function may comprisereceiving, by the bed controller 118, a designation of a selected bodyportion of the person, the selected body portion being less than all thebody portions of the person. With the selected body portion, the bedcontroller 118 may determine a location of the selected body portion onthe sleeping surface, and then implement a massage function by drivingthe plurality of adjustable spring assemblies beneath the selected bodyportion (e.g., in a random pattern, a predefined pattern, or astraveling wave fronts of increased force) and refraining from drivingadjustable spring assemblies beneath non-selected body portions andoutside the area. If the person changes body position and the selectedbody portion is in contact with the sleeping surface 102, the bedcontroller 118 may determine the new location of the selected bodyportion, and continue the massage function at the new location. Thespecification now turns to a more detailed description of the travelingwave fronts of increased force.

FIG. 16 shows an overhead view of the sleeping surface 102 of anadjustable sleeping system 100 in order to further discuss the massagefunction, and in accordance with at least some embodiments. As beforethe example sleeping surface 102 is conceptually, though not necessarilyphysically, divided into a grid with each square in the gridrepresenting the location of an adjustable spring assembly 104. FIG. 16shows an area 1600 within which a person is laying in a face-up orface-down position with arms at the person's sides. Further, FIG. 16shows a snapshot in time of a massage function comprising travellingwave fronts of increased force. In particular, FIG. 16 shows that themassage function in example embodiments is not limited to singleadjustable spring assemblies being driven to carry increased force toimplement the massage function; rather, in other cases the massagefunction may involve subsets of the plurality of adjustable springassemblies 104 beneath the area working together to implement examplemassage function. FIG. 16 shows three example wave fronts of increasedforce, being wave fronts 1602, 1604, and 1606. The wave fronts maytravel in any direction relative to the sleeping surface 102, such asfrom the person's head to the person's feet, from the person's feet tothe person's head, and across the body in either direction (theacross-body not specifically shown in FIG. 16), to name a few examples.For purposes of explanation, however, consider that the wave fronts1602, 1604, and 1606 are traveling toward the foot of the bed, as shownby arrow 1609.

Referring to wave front 1602 as representative, a subset of adjustablespring assemblies 104 along a width (e.g., along a row) of the wavefront are driven to carry increased force. In some cases, and as shown,the wave “crest” has a width (e.g., along the columns) of a singleadjustable spring assembly. However, in other cases the wave “crest” maycomprise one or more adjustable spring assemblies, and in a particularcase between and including two to six adjustable spring assemblies. Insome cases, adjustable spring assemblies on the leading edge of the wavefront are being driven to carry more force, and the adjustable springassemblies on the trailing edge of the wave front are being driven tocarry less force. In the example case of the wave fronts travellingtoward the foot of the bed, the adjustable spring assemblies on theleading edge of each wave front, for example leading edges 1608, 1610,and 1612, at the snapshot in time, are being driven to carry more force.At the same snapshot in time, the adjustable spring assemblies on thetrailing edge, for example trailing edges 1614, 1616, and 1618, arebeing driven to carry less force. In some cases, the adjustable springassemblies in the troughs between wave crests (e.g., troughs 1620, 1622,and 1624) are driven to carry lower force, and in some cases driven tocarry the least amount of force the adjustable spring assemblies cancarry. The plurality of adjustable spring assemblies are driven suchthat the wave front of increased force moves along the area 1600. Thus,adjustable spring assemblies forming a crest at one moment in time will,a few second later and depending on propagation speed of the wave front,be driven to carry less force (e.g., a trough ahead or behind the crest)as the wave front moves along the area of the sleeping surface 102.

Considering, as an example, a situation where each of the plurality ofadjustable spring assemblies 104 implementing the travelling wave frontmassage function is driven from the extra plush to extra firm and backin eight seconds. It follows that a wave crest, and thus the wave front,could move at a speed about four adjustable spring assemblies in eightseconds. If the wave front is aligned with the rows of the exampleadjustable sleeping system 100 (FIG. 1) as shown in FIG. 16, and ifthere are 24 rows that make up the adjustable sleeping system 100, thena wave front could travel the length of the bed in about 16 seconds. Ifeach of the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies 104 implementingthe travelling wave front massage function is driven from anintermediate position (e.g., medium firm) to extra firm and back in fourseconds, the wave front could move at a speed about two adjustablespring assemblies in four seconds. If the wave front is aligned with therows of the example adjustable sleeping system 100 (FIG. 1) as shown inFIG. 16, and if there are 24 rows that make up the adjustable sleepingsystem 100, then a wave front could travel the length of the bed in thisexample in about eight seconds.

The distance between the crests of the wave fronts can have anyseparation distance. Moreover, the speed at which the wave front travelsis not limited to the fastest speeds, and the speeds include traveltimes along the length of the adjustable sleeping system 100 between andincluding 8 to 60 seconds, in a particular case between and including 10and 20 seconds. The wave fronts need not be aligned with the rows, andin fact need not be straight or extend fully across the person. The bedcontroller 118 may receive a designation of any or all the parametersassociated with the wave fronts (e.g., wave front shape, direction oftravel, speed of travel, distance between wave fronts, force carriedalong each crest), and command the control PCBs 436 to drive theirrespective motors 312 to implement the traveling wave fronts. Moreover,the traveling wave fronts are not mutually exclusive with other forcecontrol functions, and thus may be implemented in addition to any or allthe functions discussed above.

In addition to the various force control functions, the example systemsmay gather and provide information to the user. For example, in someexample cases the adjustable sleeping system 100 may be able to measurethe absolute weight of a person, and thus the adjustable sleeping system100 can track change of weight over time, such as overnight or over thecourse of days or weeks. In other cases, while the adjustable sleepingsystem 100 may not be able to measure accurately the absolute weight ofa person, the adjustable sleeping system 100 can track change of weightover time, such as overnight or over the course of days or weeks.Changes in overnight weight loss may be indicative of medicalconditions, such as conditions that result in night sweats. The exampleinformation may be conveyed to the user in any suitable form, such asthe bed controller 118 communicating to the user's mobile computingdevice using any suitable short-range communication protocol, such asBluetooth.

Additional information that may be determined includes the adjustablesleeping system 100 generating a value indicative of quality of sleep.Quality of sleep can be affected by many factors, both physiological andenvironmental. Because each adjustable spring assembly 104 separatelyand independently measures weight or force, the adjustable sleepingsystem 100 in example embodiments senses movements of the user that areindicative of poor sleep quality. For example, if the user has restlessleg syndrome, the adjustable sleeping system 100 may sense leg movementthroughout the night as variances in measured force. When restless legsyndrome is detected, the adjustable sleeping system 100 may inform theuser, and even lower the value indicative of quality of sleep based onthe determination.

As yet another example of information that may be determined, every timea user rolls over and/or changes position, the movement is indicative ofa brain arousal that adversely affects quality of sleep. Thus, theadjustable sleeping system 100 in example embodiments senses movementsassociated with the person tossing and turning, and how frequently theposition changes are made. The adjustable sleeping system may thus lowerthe value indicative of sleep quality as the number and/or frequency ofthe position changes increases.

As yet another example of information that may be determined, everyinstance of a person rising and leaving the adjustable sleeping system100 during the night is indicative of a waking event that adverselyaffects quality of sleep. Thus, the adjustable sleeping system 100 inexample embodiments sense each disembarkation. The adjustable sleepingsystem may thus lower the value indicative of sleep quality based on thenumber and/or frequency of disembarkation events throughout the night.

In yet still other cases the example system may sense breakthroughbreaths associated with obstructive or central sleep apnea. In cases ofsleep apnea, the user stops breathing for a period of time, which canresult in dangerously low blood oxygen levels. If the force sensor 502(FIG. 5) of each adjustable spring assembly 104 is sensitive enough,force distribution changes associated with respiration may be sensed asforce oscillations within frequency ranges associated with breathing.When breathing stops, the value indicative of sleep quality may beadjusted downward. Regardless of the type of apnea, when breathingresumes the first breath is termed a breakthrough breath, and in mostcases results in rapid and deep inhalation. Thus, even if the adjustablespring assemblies 104 are not sensitive enough to sense breathing,breakthrough breaths may be sensed. Again, each time a breakthroughbreath is sensed, the value indicative of sleep quality may be adjusteddownward. Obstructive apnea is in some cases position dependent, andthus when the example adjustable sleeping system 100 senses breakthroughbreaths, in systems where the body position of the person is detected,the example adjustable sleeping system 100 may proactively encourage aroll as discussed above.

In a function related to the massage function, the adjustable springassemblies 104 may be used to rock the person back and forth about thecenterline of the body, such as the centerline parallel to the spine. Inparticular, the rocking may be implemented by wave fronts of increasedforce propagation across the body of the person (e.g., propagatingparallel to the width W of the adjustable sleeping system), with thedistance between crests being greater than a width of the person's body.In yet another related function, the massage function may implement awakeup function, where the massage function is used to wake the user,possibly integrated with music, and more particularly synchronized withthe beat of the music. In some cases, the beat or timing of the musicmay be mimicked by the massage function; however, given the speed ofmovement of the spring plates 318 (FIG. 3), the beat alignment may, forexample, be on every fourth or eighth beat of the music.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles andvarious embodiments of the present invention. Numerous variations andmodifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once theabove disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, the control PCBs 436are shown to be daisy-chained together along a row for communicativepurposes; however, in other cases the bed controller 118 may have aseparate communication channel to each control PCB 436. As anotherexample, an overall bed may be conceptually (though not necessarilyphysically) divided such that two users could individually control theirrespective sides, including individual control of firmness, message,force neutralization, spine alignment and/or any other functionimplemented by the bed system. It is intended that the following claimsbe interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

We claim:
 1. A method of operating a sleeping system, the methodcomprising: sensing an area of a sleeping surface of the sleepingsystem, the area upon which a person resides, the sensing by a bedcontroller communicatively coupled to an array of adjustable springassemblies arranged such that a top of each adjustable spring assemblydefines an upper surface parallel to the sleeping surface; and driving aplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies being the adjustablespring assemblies beneath the area, the driving to control forcedistribution among the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies. 2.The method of claim 1: wherein sensing further comprises sensing thatthe person is positioned for disembarkation from the sleeping surface;and wherein driving to control force distribution further comprisesdriving the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to assistdisembarkation.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein driving to assistdisembarkation further comprises driving the plurality of the adjustablespring assemblies to increase force carried by the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein drivingassist disembarkation further comprises driving the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies to decrease force carried by the pluralityof the adjustable spring assemblies.
 5. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: sensing, by the bed controller, an actual body position ofthe person within the area; wherein driving to control forcedistribution further comprises driving to encourage a roll of the personfrom the actual body position to a second body position.
 6. The methodof claim 5 wherein driving to encourage the roll further comprises atleast one selected from a group comprising: driving the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies to encourage the roll of the person fromthe actual body position being laying on the person's back to the secondbody position being laying on the person's side; and driving theplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to encourage the roll ofthe person from the actual body position being laying on the person'sside to the second body position being laying on the person's back. 7.The method of claim 5 wherein driving to encourage the roll furthercomprises: driving a first subset of the plurality of the adjustablespring assemblies to carry less force; and driving a second subset ofthe plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to carry more force.8. The method of claim 1 further comprising: calculating, by the bedcontroller, an average force value carried by the plurality ofadjustable spring assemblies beneath the area prior to driving; whereindriving to control force distribution further comprises driving each ofthe plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to carry a force aboutequal to the average force value.
 9. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising sensing, by the bed controller, an actual body position ofthe person within the area, the actual body position being at least oneselected from a group comprising: residing on the person's back;residing on the person's right side; residing on the person's left side;and residing on the person's stomach.
 10. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising: receiving, by the bed controller, an indication a selectedbody portion of the person, the selected body portion being less thanall the body portions of the person; determining a location of theselected body portion within the area independent of the actual bodyposition; wherein driving to control force distribution furthercomprises driving a first subset of the plurality of the adjustablespring assembles, the first subset beneath the selected body portion,the driving to a different force than other adjustable spring assembliesbeneath the area.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein driving to adifferent force than other adjustable spring assemblies beneath the areafurther comprises driving to carry more force.
 12. The method of claim11 further comprising driving a second subset of the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies to carry less force.
 13. The method ofclaim 10 wherein driving to a different force than other adjustablespring assemblies beneath the area further comprises driving to carryless force.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising driving asecond subset of the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies tocarry more force.
 15. An adjustable sleeping system comprising: an arrayof adjustable spring assemblies arranged such that a top of eachadjustable spring assembly defines an upper surface parallel to asleeping surface of the adjustable sleeping system, each adjustablespring assembly having a main spring with an un-laden compression thatis adjustable, and each adjustable spring assembly having a force sensorconfigured to measure an amount of force carried by the respectiveadjustable spring assembly; and a bed controller communicatively coupledto each of the adjustable spring assemblies, the bed controllerconfigured to sense, by way of the force sensor of each adjustablespring assembly, an area of the sleeping surface upon which a personresides.
 16. The adjustable sleeping system of claim 15 wherein the bedcontroller is further configured to control force distribution carriedby the array of adjustable spring assemblies by driving a plurality ofthe adjustable spring assemblies beneath the area.
 17. The adjustablesleeping system of claim 16: wherein the bed controller is furtherconfigured to sense that the person is positioned for disembarkation ofthe sleeping surface; and wherein when the bed controller drives theplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies, the bed controller isfurther configured to drive the plurality of the adjustable springassemblies to assist disembarkation.
 18. The adjustable sleeping systemof claim 17 wherein when the bed controller drives to assistdisembarkation, the bed controller is further configured to drive theplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to increase force carriedby the plurality of adjustable spring assemblies.
 19. The adjustablesleeping system of claim 17 wherein when the bed controller drives toassist disembarkation, the bed controller is further configured to drivethe plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to decrease forcecarried by the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies.
 20. Theadjustable sleeping system of claim 16: wherein the bed controller isfurther configured to sense an actual body position of the person withinthe area; the bed controller is further configured to drive theplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to encourage a roll of theperson from the actual body position to a second body position.
 21. Theadjustable sleeping system of claim 20 wherein when the bed controllerencourages a roll, the bed controller is further configured to at leastone selected from a group comprising: drive the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies to encourage the roll of the person fromthe actual body position being laying on the person's back to the secondbody position being laying on the person's side; and drive the pluralityof the adjustable spring assemblies to encourage the roll of the personfrom the actual body position being laying on the person's side to thesecond body position being laying on the person's back.
 22. Theadjustable sleeping system of claim 20 wherein when the bed controllerencourages a roll, the bed controller is further configured to: drive afirst subset of the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies tocarry less force; and drive a second subset of the plurality of theadjustable spring assemblies to carry more force.
 23. The adjustablesleeping system of claim 16: wherein the bed controller is furtherconfigured to calculate an average force value carried by the pluralityof adjustable spring assemblies beneath the area prior to driving;wherein when the bed controller drives the plurality of the adjustablespring assemblies beneath the area, the bed controller is furtherconfigured to drive each of the plurality of the adjustable springassemblies to carry a force about equal to the average force value. 24.The adjustable sleeping system of claim 16 wherein the bed controller isfurther configured to sense an actual body position of the person withinthe area, the actual body position being at least one selected from agroup comprising: residing on the person's back; residing on theperson's right side; residing on the person's left side; residing on theperson's stomach.
 25. The adjustable sleeping system of claim 24: thebed controller further configured to receive an indication a selectedbody portion of the person, the selected body portion being less thanall the body portions of the person; The bed controller furtherconfigured to determine a location of the selected body portion withinthe area regardless of the actual body position; wherein when the bedcontroller drives the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies, thebed controller is further configured to drive a first subset of theplurality of the adjustable spring assembles, the first subset beneaththe selected body portion to carry a different force.
 26. The adjustablesleeping system of claim 25 wherein when the bed controller drives thefirst subset of the plurality of the adjustable spring assemblies tocarry a different force, the bed controller is further configured todrive the first subset to carry more force.
 27. The adjustable sleepingsystem of claim 26 wherein the bed controller is further configured todrive a second subset of the plurality of the adjustable springassemblies to carry less force.
 28. The adjustable sleeping system ofclaim 25 wherein when the bed controller drives the first subset of theplurality of adjustable spring assemblies to carry a different force,the bed controller is further configured to drive the first subset toless force.
 29. The adjustable sleeping system of claim 28 wherein thebed controller is further configured to drive a second subset of theplurality of the adjustable spring assemblies to carry more force.